What is an airbox fuelie?

[Robert D.]

I've heard cars referred to this several times with out explanation. I've searched this and have not found a good description.
thanx
Bob

[Patrick H.]

Re: What is an airbox fuelie?

I've heard cars referred to this several times with out explanation. I've searched this and have not found a good description.
thanx
Bob

Bob,

Easier to search via Google and get an answer than to search on the DB. Google has that search function working well.
In a nutshell, the airbox is a air intake box mounted on the left inner fender.
See the airbox on the far side of the engine compartment in the photo below:

SC0510-90267_7.jpg

[Loren L.]

Re: What is an airbox fuelie?

What Patrick said, but limited to the 1957 model year and 283 HP (FI) and 270 HP (2 X 4 carbs) engines. St Louis built 48 (according to the best recent info) and various "factories" around the country have built another 50/100.

[Ed S.]

Re: What is an airbox fuelie?

Loren,
No kidding! Of the 48 built at the St. Louis plant only 243 have survived!

[Mark E.]

Re: What is an airbox fuelie?

I didn't realize the "air box" was 1957 only, and I didn't know that a non-fuel injected engine (270HP) had an air box.

Was it a separate option available only with these two engines?

Learn something every day.

[John D.]

Re: What is an airbox fuelie?

Loren,
No kidding! Of the 48 built at the St. Louis plant only 243 have survived!

Now That's Funny Ed.

What makes me feel good as the requests to make a 57 Corvette a fake fuel car have slowed down big time. You know the reason.

[Jim L.]

Re: What is an airbox fuelie?

I didn't realize the "air box" was 1957 only, and I didn't know that a non-fuel injected engine (270HP) had an air box.
.

It didn't; that information is wrong. Only fuel injected engines were available with the air box. There was no way to use it with carburetors.

[Tom P.]

Re: What is an airbox fuelie?

And don't forget, there was one 56 airbox car. I know this to be a FACT, because it's in my garage!
Also, it has a 265 that's been bored and stroked to 406 cubic inches.

And here it is.

[Loren L.]

Re: What is an airbox fuelie?

It didn't; that information is wrong. Only fuel injected engines were available with the air box. There was no way to use it with carburetors.

There were 5 and it was also for brake cooling.

[Jim L.]

Re: What is an airbox fuelie?

There were 5 and it was also for brake cooling.

The brake cooling package was distinct from the air box option for fuel injected cars.

Cars which got the brake cooling ductwork and did NOT get the air box had a flexible fresh air hose which ran along the left inner fender where the air box would have been. This fresh air hose was used on carbureted cars and on fuel injected cars which did NOT have the air box.

There was no air box for carbureted cars. If you think you have a picture of a carbureted car WITH a functional air box, please post it.

[Mark E.]

Re: What is an airbox fuelie?

Now That's Funny Ed.

What makes me feel good as the requests to make a 57 Corvette a fake fuel car have slowed down big time. You know the reason.

What's the reason?

[Mark E.]

Re: What is an airbox fuelie?

The brake cooling package was distinct from the air box option for fuel injected cars. Cars which got the brake cooling ductwork and did NOT get the air box had a flexible fresh air hose which ran along the left inner fender where the air box would have been. This fresh air hose was used on carbureted cars and on fuel injected cars which did NOT have the air box.

What was the ducting like for cars with both the brake cooling package and air box option?

[Jim L.]

Re: What is an airbox fuelie?

What was the ducting like for cars with both the brake cooling package and air box option?

On the driver's side, the air box served a dual purpose. It ducted fresh air to the FI unit and ducted brake-cooling air, replacing the flexible fresh air hose on non-airbox RPO cars. Elsewhere, the air ducts for brake cooling were the same on airbox and non-airbox RPO cars.

[Tom P.]

Re: What is an airbox fuelie?

I didn't realize the "air box" was 1957 only, and I didn't know that a non-fuel injected engine (270HP) had an air box.

Was it a separate option available only with these two engines?

Learn something every day.

Mark,
ACTUALLY, the 57 "airbox" was the forerunner to the FI air cleaner which was introduced in 58 and carried on to the end of 65 FI production. By later standards, the 57 airbox was VERY crude, but VERY functional.

[Mark E.]

Re: What is an airbox fuelie?

For 1957, the Corvette Black Book says "RPO 579E included fresh air intake..." and shows it as a 283/283 FI engine package with a production of 43. Is this the "air box" option we're talking about?

It also describes RPO 684 as "HD Racing Suspension", which has a lot of components including "fresh air ducting to rear brakes, and front brake air scoops (elephant ears)" and shows a production of 51. I assume this is the "brake cooling package" Jim is talking about?

Do we know how many cars had both options?